The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-12-25
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
Some of the Anecdotes that are Circu-
lating in Washington.
From The NeW York Herald

Adtll18 III w etSulIlS SOA-
From The New York Herald.
When two of the most distinguished Sena-
tors in public life called upon Secretary
Bayard and insisted upon an appointment
in the consular service for one of their con-
stituents the Secretary replied that he had
nothing which it would pay the man to
accept
He isn't particular about the salary"
one OF the visitors observed. "a thousand
dollars a year will suit him."
"A thousand dollars yearm echoed the
Secretary sarcastically, "why, l. can find
five hundred men within twenty four hours
who would jump at it. Good men, too, " he
continued emphatically, seeing look of in
credulity upon his visitors faces.
Look here" no continued, pointing to
the Department Register, ''do you see this
place, and this, and this" indicating them
as he spoke. "You will see that the emolu-
ments of these offices fall below $50 per an
mum i'll each case. Would you think that
anybody would desire an appointment at so
trifiing a remuneration as that! No, of
course, you don't, and yet / have applica-
cants are not Americans They are natives
of the different countries in which these
| consular offices are situated. The men who
want them are engaged in trade. The APP
pointment would permit them to fly the
American flag and invoke the protection of
| the American government in the event of
trouble.
Several years ago the Consul General at
one OF the far Eastern countries was paid
the enormous sum of $4,000 for five CON
| sular agencies in his district. He did this
without the consent of this government, but
he got the money just the same. You will
see ny the register that the fees at all five
of the places scarcely foot up 500 year.
The appointment carried with it, as | have
said, the right to fly the American flag. 1t
happened that the men in each case were
bankers
'Ehe ruler of that country had the not
unusual Eastern fashion of sometimes levy
ing heavy tribute upon his subjects. Not
lnfrequently this tribute amounted to as
much as the sum paid to the Consul Cen
eraL The moment they represented the
United States, that moment they were free
men so far as coercion from their ruler
wet. They paid high for their immunity,
but it was undoubtedly good investment.
Il trust gentlemen continued the Secre-
| tary, THAT this brief illustration will show
the futility of ever expecting a vacancy in
the consular service, no matter how uniuI-
portant the position may be. Sometimes
the incumbent dies or is di missed-some-
times, | say But can assure you IN all
| seriousness, that he never, never resigns"
They were talking over the report that ex-
Congressman Jim Mckenzie, of Kentucky,
might probably receive the nomination for
the vacant mission to Mexico. BY "they" is
meant little group of Representatives who
had gathered in the House cloak room after
adjournment to-day. The group include /
Payson, of Illinois; Burnes, of Missouri; Nc
Kinley, of Ohio, and Capt Hassler. the
Appointment Clerk of the Interior Depart
ment.
Jim Mckenzie" said Mr. Payson, sis
one of the brightest men have ever met in
public life. l remember away back in the
FoTty-sixth Congress that Mckenzie intro
duced bill for a public building at Pa
d cab, which had been favorably reported
by the committee. 1t was placed on the
calendar, where, in al, p obability, it would
remain forever unless some extraordinary
effort was made to bring it before the
House.
Mckenzie tried repeatedly to catch the
Speakers eve, but for some reason Randall
chose to ignore him. The end of the session
was gradually drawing near and Mckenzie
began to grow desperate.
'One day while the regular order of bust
ness was under consideration Mckenzie
startled the House by rising to his feet and
shouting: Mr.. Speaker, rise to question
Of the highest prlvilegen
1.-The gentleman from Kentucky will
state his question, answered Randall, turn
ing in McKenzie'j direction.
MY question, sir, involves a matter of
the highest privilege-the right of a mem
Der TO his seat.
This rather sensational announcement
drew upon him the attention of the entire
House. The silence which followed was
broken again by Mckenzie, who contin-
Jed
~ ask unanimous consent to take from
the calendar, House bill Nc. IA, 796 and pass
it under a suspension of the rules.
The calendar was hastily consulted, when
it was discovered that House bill No. IA, 79j
provided for the erection OF public build
ing at Paducah, Ky. Randall was furious
with rage.
1.-The gentleman from Kentucky forgets
himself be began, when Mckenzie with
comicaI seriousness interrupted him
al spoke the plain, unvarnished truth
when said the passage OF that bill involved
the right to my seat. If don't succeed in
securing the neces airy appropriation need
never expect to return 10 Congress again.
'At this sally the House burst into broad
roar of laughter. whereupOr Frank Hiscocs =,
over on the Republ. can side, begged that
Mr.. McKenzie's request be complied with,
and that unanimous consent be given 10
and within sixty seconds Mckenzie secured
what he waited for months to accomplish"
speaking of clever things" said Cap.
Hassler, who enjoys the reputation of being
one of the best story tellers in public life,
you all remember dear old Beau Hickman,
the notorious beat of ante-bellum daya
shall not soon forget my first meeting with
him II was In the early days of the war
One day a crowd Of soldier boys, myself
among the number, stepped into the rotunda
at Wizards Hotel The first person we met
was Beau. faultlessly dressed and serene,
smiling a. usual. The boys gathered about
him and began plying him with questions.
"TeII us, Beau" said one of the young
sters, show you manage to live without
wordngE
All" said Beau, drawing himself up
stifly, that's secret, and | don't tell my
secrets without being paid for them"
He paused for a moment, and coolly
counted us over and said, There are just
sixteen of you. Ii you'll chip in quarter
apiece I'll tell you"
In less than thirty seconds sixteen 25-cent
pieces were laid in Beau's hand. He salts
fed himself that the number was correct,
and then, sliding them deity into his trou-
sers' pocket he faced about, and as he
stalked majestically away he added: You
wanted TO know, gentlemen, how | live
without working Well, this is one way.
Ia, tar
And then a. he disappeared in the direc-
ton of the bar the boys, with one accord,
shouted, ''Sold, by Jover"
Col William Fl. Martin, who succeeds